[Kensdock]

I hope the Honorable Senator Van Drew will take a closer look at the salt water license issue. The fear that the money raised from a salt water license will be raided by the Governor is not justified. A salt water license can not be compared to dedicated accounts like the arts or the beach replenishment. Money collected from a salt water license is protected by Federal law. The money from the salt water license would be matched by federal funds. The money raised through NJ hunting and fresh water licenses has never been used for anything other that fish and wildlife in over ONE HUNDRED YEARS. Noaa reported salt water angler numbers alone at one million four hundred thousand! Depending on the price of a saltwater license the NJ salt water license would raise about 40,000,000.00 dollars annually to enhance our salt water fishing. We could build the salt water hatcheries, create green jobs and ensure the future of our salt water game fish. The alterative is we keep the statuesque and our salt water fishing will continue to decline. Charter boats, Tackle shops and salt water guides service will cotinue to go bankrupt!